Clarification on scholarships for men and women

Scholarships for women, men and other groups offered by
charitable trusts are exempt from the provisions of the
Human Rights Act 1993.

This means that groups such as the
Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust can offer women-only
educational scholarships, just as other charitable trusts
can offer men-only scholarships, and this is not unlawful
under the Human Rights Act.

The Human Rights Commission
said today it was important that the position relating to
charitable trusts was clarified so that they can plan their
scholarships programmes for this year and the
future.

Section 150 of the Human Rights Act 1993 states
clearly that the unlawful discrimination provisions of the
act do not apply to charitable benefits.

The
Commission’s clarification on charitable trusts follows
coverage of a query about the justification for women-only
scholarships from an academic from the University of
Victoria. The Human Rights Commission will respond fully to
the broader issue raised by the researcher in due
course.

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